Mental health key to combating India’s growing heart disease crisis, say experts

Daijiworld Media Network – New Delhi

New Delhi, Sep 26: As India grapples with a sharp rise in heart disease—particularly among young adults and even children—health experts are calling for a paradigm shift in how the country approaches cardiac care. At a city-based event held ahead of World Heart Day on September 29, speakers emphasized that mental well-being must be treated as a core pillar of heart disease prevention, not an afterthought.

Rajesh Bhushan, former Secretary of the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, stressed that India must move away from a reactive, treatment-centric approach and instead promote a culture of health-seeking behaviour across families, schools, and communities. “Life is not a sprint but a marathon,” he said, adding that building emotional resilience and balance in young people is crucial. Schools, he argued, must play a transformative role by integrating mental wellness into their ethos, replacing harmful practices with supportive routines, and encouraging physical activity.

Experts warned that stress, air pollution, and sedentary lifestyles, combined with poor diet and irregular screening, are creating a perfect storm for early cardiac incidents. Nearly 60% of heart attacks in India now occur in people under the age of 55, according to recent data. The consensus was clear: prevention is far more cost-effective than treatment, with screening and early intervention costing only a fraction of what advanced care demands.

Technology is increasingly becoming a game-changer in this field. From wearable health monitors to AI-powered diagnostics, digital tools are expanding the reach of cardiac care into India’s rural and underserved regions. But technological innovation must be paired with greater awareness, the experts said.

Dr Sandeep Bansal, Director of Vardhman Mahavir Medical College & Safdarjung Hospital, underlined the need for a holistic approach that includes hypertension control, mental health integration, and school-based awareness programmes. “Real progress demands government leadership, private sector support, and a shift in public attitudes toward healthier living,” he said.

Anil Rajput, Chairperson of the Advisory Council at the Illness to Wellness Foundation, applauded national efforts like the NPCDCS, Ayushman Arogya Mandirs, and PM-JAY, which aim to provide preventive care, early detection, and financial support for treatment. He called for continued investment in grassroots healthcare systems to make heart health accessible to all.

In closing, the experts advocated for a national movement centered around heart health, rooted in preventive screenings, mental well-being, lifestyle education, emergency preparedness (including CPR training), and active community engagement. The message was unified and urgent: the heart of India’s health crisis lies in the mind—and addressing both is the only way forward.

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